DON’T look down....

A daredevil audaciously dangles nearly 250ft from a white cliff face with only a rope to save him from certain death on the beach below.

Armed with a pick axe and crampons he hauls himself up the treacherous chalky sheer drop as the sea crashes against the rocks.

Gordon McArthur was one of a group of global adrenaline junkies scaling immense 115-metre cliffs on the Isle of Wight at the weekend.

The Canadian is among the world’s top ten ice climbers taking part in the Red Bull White Cliffs competition at Scratchell’s Bay close to the iconic backdrop of The Needles.

The athletes were testing their skills in warmer climates before heading out to conquer frozen mountains, glaciers and waterfalls around the globe this winter.

But chalk is one of the most difficult materials to climb due to its vulnerability to crumbling.

Gordon, 34, below, scaled the route in 27mins 16secs finishing eighth behind winner who conquered it in just 16mins 46secs.

Afterwards Gordon said: “It’s wild.

“Every aspect of this climb and this venue is completely different and unknown, which makes it really exciting. I’ve never climbed anything like this before, with crashing waves right below you.”

Pictures by Jon Griffith/Red Bull Content Pool and Dave Cuthbertson/Cubby Images Celebrating different